Missing Bon Jovi?

But that is not really the point.

What people (including me) expect from a break that the band recharges its batteries... they have never been as busy for as long as for the time period from 2000 till now... and the results seem to show. It's the lack of effort that gets criticized round here. A longer break doesn't automatically conclude in a better record, but in this state it might help the band to step away from their main business and come back with hunger and fresh ideas instead of just continuing a running machine. So far it seems as if they just continue to fulfill a legacy, even if they enjoy what they do (which I don't doubt).

And the hunger seems to be valid for the fans too... I myself feel a bit overpowered by releases that are not as good as they could have been. I strongly believe that John Shanks' way of recording has to do with it... but then again, Jon has delayed a record in order to write new songs as he wasn't satisfied. Who knows. We'll never know how the effect of a break really turns out if they don't take it.

But as for the anticipation, it can only get bigger if they wait a bit. Their name is to big as if it would be forgotten in two years from now.

I, personally, will be around and excited when the new album comes out. I just hope it won't be until 2013, so this year we can all focus on Richie.

I agree with Simon on Several Points, but not all. Bon Jovi not copy Foo Fighters style or their compositions. Just draw a little more forceful in sound as the album Wasting Light. Make a hit different, not other "live my life". The Pretender is a big rock hit.

We all know that Bon Jovi has always been inspired by some bands over the years. The Circle is influenced by the sound of King of Leon, U2 and Coldplay. This does not make it sound less Jovi.

I do not think that just three years is a sufficient change.

Bounce 2002
Have a Nice Day 2005

Especially with the same producer for the last 3 albums, What Do You Got or What about Now, is living proof that there will be a The Circle 2.0.

Finally add that these bands: HEAT, Sunstorm, Reckless Love and White Widdow are crap, I hope you never sound like that.

I'm missing them. My credit card isn't

To be honest, they always come up on my MP3 player so I don't really miss them being away. Its great to have a tour going around, but equally in a different way its great speculating on what comes next. Can't wait for Richie's solo album

I never understood the need to get your "fix"... I will freely admit that I've seen Bon Jovi somewhere along the lines of 15 or 16 times over the last 5 years, but the time I went, I was going for community and friendship and exploration of new countries and even the exploration of my own country and meeting new people with similar interests. Being a diehard Bon Jovi fan is a rare thing, and only a few can be found in each city. (I'm not counting desperate housewives wanting to see Jon shake his ass during We Got It Going On) I don't need a Bon Jovi "fix". I can't ever see myself going to a Bon Jovi concert alone again as the overall overwhelming feeling of seeing them live has past. If I went, it would have to be with people who were interested in seeing them. And I have no friends who are interested in the slightest so even if they did do a Canadian world tour, I'd be hard pressed to even go to the Calgary show at this point.

The diehards range are people in their mid 30's +

Well then I guess I am one of the few exceptions

I think we are talking about different things. I am not saying what determines the break period at all, especially in economical sense. I am only talking about the impact the length of this break period has for artistic creativity and whether an album will be good or bad at the end. In my opinion it doesn’t have any impact. They might take a 5 year break and make another LH if there is no inspiration and that true spark inside. But they might also take only 1 year break and make another SWW, all in terms of quality, not sales numbers and need for it on the market.

I get what you’re saying but I just look at this differently. I agree they’ve been busy this last decade, but it doesn’t necessarily mean their batteries are empty at all and there is no effort. Not anymore. I think it was with Crush when they lost “it”. For sure they had the hunger you’re talking about back then, I had it too, and still felt a little bit disappointed. With the birth of TC, finally for the first time since TD, I felt they are on the right track again. It’s a different kind of greatness than in the 90’, but it is there and it is strong. I am in minority here, and I am fully aware of this, but for me TC is amazing, really. If the new album is the continuation of TC, I am all for it. And just for the record, my fav albums are KTF and TD.

I think all of us look at this from our personal music taste point of view. It always shocks me when I look at the Track Rankings threads. Same band, same album, and yet totally different favourite and worst songs. Our BJ tastes are so distinct sometimes, it’s really unbelievable. It shows that all of us have a different definition of “great BJ song” and we look for different things in the songs. Therefore there won’t be an album when all of us will be fully satisfied. It seems that if it doesn’t hit “our” nerve, we are trying to find a perfect cure to change that (longer break, different producer etc.), forgetting about the fact they are the artists and they can do whatever they feel like, even if sometimes we don’t agree with their decisions.

I have little to add, I think you are correct in your comment completely.

Sometimes I get too passionate talking and always about I have a feeling that can do much better.

We can only wait and see what comes. I always think have been some great songs in each album.

On The Circle, my opinion is that is the best album as a whole post2000, but not as perfect songs. But I confess that I like listening to this album. I not like see a sequel, unless they are more inspired and make better songs.

As am I, being less than half of that number...